Not a life ban for Balkman, says PBA media bureau chief

Renaldo Balkman is not banned for life from the PBA. Such is the clarification made by PBA Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial, in an interview with GMA News' Mark Zambrano. "Itong nangyari kay Balkman, not exactly ban for life yan eh. Ban lang yan for this year or ano. Sa akin, sa pananaw ko, kunwari babalik siya next conference na wala naman siyang record, tapos nakita mo matino siya ulit o nag-anger management or whatever, kung papayagan ulit ng commissioner na paglaruin, palagay ko papayagan." Marcial said. In the release sent out by the league Monday, the exact wording of the punishment was stated as a "ban from playing in the Philippine Basketball Association." The former NBA first round pick had been slapped with the ban as well as a P250,000 fine after acting wildly following a perceived no-call, late in his side's 83-73 loss to the Alaska Aces, Friday. Balkman first accosted the three referees, and then when his teammates came to calm him down, the former New York Knick and Denver Nugget shoved away Ronald Tubid and choked team captain Arwind Santos. He was then summoned to the office of PBA commissioner Chito Salud on Monday, accompanied by his teammates and coaching staff in a show of support. Still, the commissioner did not hesitate to oust Balkman, leaving the 5-2 Blaze Boosters without an import. The PBA uses a three-conference schedule, beginning with a Filipino-only cup, followed by a conference where teams can bring in imports of unlimited height, and then a conference with a height cap. It is assumed that Marcial is referring to the 2014 edition of the Commissioner's Cup, as Balkman stands 6'8", whereas last season's Governors' Cup had a 6'5" height limit. Petron's next game is on Saturday, in Panabo, Davao Del Norte, against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. - AMD, GMA News